AAAA Reliever Musical Chairs

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 11:08 AM CDT in White Sox News

Nick Masset has incriminating photos of Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen in a compromising position. That has to be the explanation, right? Take a look at these numbers.

More hits than innings pitched
Poor strikeout rate
More walks than strikeouts

What's there to like? Is it the 1.59 WHIP that he posted at AAA last year? Is it the career 1.735 WHIP in the Majors? or the 1.64 career WHIP above Dobule-A? These numbers sound awfully similar to those of Sean Tracey, who was exiled for his inability to hit a Texas Ranger -- Which is not easy. Chuck Norris is fast. * * * * *

Oh yeah, Brett Prinz and Ryan Bukvich our your call-ups. Congrats, guys. You hit the lottery. You found the right team willing to carry a host of AAAA players. Hell, if you want more playing time, tell them you can play outfield.

I thought the difference between my capsules and the ones provided in the press release was great.

Bukvich has spent a total of 46.2 innings at the major leagues, accumulating an ERA of 6.94 with the Royals and Rangers. Hey, he'd fit right in. He has posted some good strikeout numbers in Charlotte this season, but nothing compared to that of '06 Boone Logan or even '05 Jeff Bajenaru. I wouldn't count on him fixing anything.

Prinz pitched 41 effective innings for the 2001 Diamondbacks (championship experience, YES!), but has pitched in only 52 major league games since, posting a Masset-like line with a 6.61 ERA. His ERA in Charlotte is a microscopic 0.56, but 9 walks in 16 International League innings doesn't translate well to the majors.

Bukvich, 29, was 1-3 with nine saves, a 2.89 ERA (9 ER/28.0 IP), and 32 strikeouts in 23 appearances with Charlotte. A native of Naperville, Ill., the 6-foot-2, 250 pound Bukvich has pitched in 48 major-league games with Kansas City (2002-04) and Texas (2005), going 2-0 with a 6.94 ERA (36 ER/46.2 IP) and 39 strikeouts.

Prinz, who turns 30 on June 15, went 0-1 with a 0.56 ERA (1 ER/16.0 IP) and 16 strikeouts in 15 outings with the Knights. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Chicago Heights, Ill. limited opponents to a .179 (10-56) average.

Best case scenario for either pitcher? Let's hope they can channel Agustin Montero, who provided some surprisingly adequate relief work last season.

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Comments

I agree

wholeheartedly with your assessment. Basically, all this is is punishment for Aardsma and Mac Dougal--- they'll be back up rather quickly once Prinz and Buckvich get it handed to them. You can only hope the latter two have brief success for some ungodly reason, not creating too much damage, and the former then come back up, "start fresh" and regain some semblance of confidence and effectiveness.

by dantesox on Jun 4, 2007 11:22 AM CDT reply actions

"Adequate"

Being an average reliever isn't that tough and I'm confident, simply due to sheer numbers, that we could find a couple "adequate" pitchers. I would feel okay with bringing anyone who can throw strikes, frankly.

The issue is really that we thought we would have a top notch bullpen and seemed to have it until it totally exploded.

by colintj on Jun 4, 2007 11:23 AM CDT reply actions

I've been...

wondering what the deal with Nick Masset was ever since the middle of Spring Training. Aside from a couple of nice extended outings, he's been mediocre to bad pretty much every time he's been out there, and yet the team continues to act as if they have no choice but to hold a roster spot for him, and they've been acting this way since March.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

Make the McCarthy deal look like a win?

by hitlesswonder on Jun 4, 2007 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

like danks needs any help with that

Free Bobby Thigpen!

by larry on Jun 4, 2007 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

I don't get it, either. My bet would have been Masset and Aardsma would be sent down. Very perplexing. Does anybody else feel like throwing up three times a day? This is really depressing. And-- I gotta believe , and, I'm surprised no one else has researched this--- that our offensive numbers, on the whole, HAVE to rival some of the ALLTIME worst team offensive numbers for one-third of an Americal League season since the late 80's. We, for all we've talked about this, haven't really given it proper perspective from a historical sense-- I think it deserves one.

by dantesox on Jun 4, 2007 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Right now...

the Sox offense is right on par with the 2004 Tigers, which, yes, was a historically bad team.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Well,

maybe not alltime like I started to say....but at least as far back as the late 80's, if not sooner.

by dantesox on Jun 4, 2007 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Masset is the least of the Sox issues in the 'pen

The guy's a starter. We saw what happened to McCarthy when he was put in that position. When Nick was given a chance to start against the Cubbies he kicked ass. He'll be fine and overall has done the job he has been called on to do.

McCarthy has also turned it around big time after a slow start.

Ozzieball.com - My White Sox Blog

by Ozzieball on Jun 4, 2007 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions

except for the ass-kicking he took

in his last outing, right? not to mention how he's out right now with blisters.

Free Bobby Thigpen!

by larry on Jun 4, 2007 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Whose ass-kicking?

Mac's or Masset?

GO SOX!

by rhythm on Jun 4, 2007 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

masset certainly isn't out with blisters

Free Bobby Thigpen!

by larry on Jun 4, 2007 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

He's a starter?

I will not accept this bullshit answer. In the minors, he never really experienced success until he was moved to the bullpen. This was because he added velocity into the mid-90's. We've seen only one outing in which he was throwing 94, and that could easily be explained away by a hot gun.

He was sold to the fans as a future set-up man/closer, and has been terrible in short bursts out of the pen. He doesn't get the luxury of now saying "oh, but I'm a starter" when he's had an extremely limited history of success (outside of a Cubs start) as a starter.

No. He's a AAA pitcher, not even a AAAA pitcher. He's just not very good.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I've been holding off on this

but when the trade was originally made, I asked Baseball America's king of everything John Manuel about Masset. His response was a rather candid, "I don't believe in that guy for one f'ing second. He's a 6th inning reliever if he's at his best." He's junk and will be lucky in be in organized ball at the end of the decade. We'll still win that trade.

by Bull Pain on Jun 4, 2007 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Well then I missed that

If that's the case then I missed it. I was always under the impression that Masset was a guy they were going to bring along as a starter. I never heard him mentioned in the closer mix, and we don't need a closer. We supposedly had MacDougal, Sisco and Thornton for set-up duties, so I don't know how Masset was going to fit in as a setup guy or a closer.

And sure, McCarthy had a blister, but so did Bonderman, doesn't make him a shitty starter. He had a rough start but then he turned it around. I think Danks has more of an upside than B-Mac, but B-Mac isn't half bad.

Ozzieball.com - My White Sox Blog

by Ozzieball on Jun 4, 2007 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Steve Stone

absolutely loved Masset in spring training.

by ballyb on Jun 4, 2007 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Is it REALLY hitting the lottery?

Winding up in this bullpen right now seems less like winning the lottery as being lead up to the gallows. I really don't know what the answer is, we need to find someone to do the job, no doubt about that, but I don't think the minor league crop is going to stop the bleeding.

The question is how long does it take for these guys sent down to get their stuff together?

Ozzieball.com - My White Sox Blog

by Ozzieball on Jun 4, 2007 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

As for Bukvich and Prinz...

if they'd been on the roster on Opening Day, I'd probably be a bit upset, but I can't get worked up about it now. They're both AAAA pitchers, but there's a decent chance that one or the other can be reasonably effective for a short while.

Besides, it's two more local boys made good! Maybe the Sox can just collect Chicago-area natives, and fill the ballpark with friends and family.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 11:39 AM CDT reply actions

Great.

A couple more local-boy-does-good stories used to mask mediocrity (below-mediocrity?).

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Jun 4, 2007 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

under-mediocrity

i believe that's the term you're looking for. as in, "we under-mediocred the blue jays last week."

Free Bobby Thigpen!

by larry on Jun 4, 2007 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

"Horseshit"

is the term.

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions

how about

quasiocrity?

by Ryno on Jun 4, 2007 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I believe it is time

for a stupid and futile gesture be done on somebody's part. Thus, I offer the following, with Gio's quote being the inspiration:

Everyone's new nickname is "Pants", as homage to Pants Rowland, manager of our boys from 1915-1918 (Dead Ball era), and also for the fact that the whole team is playing like they have been "pantsed".
We return to the old softball uni's of the 1976 team, "one of the worst White Sox teams ever fielded", where every "Pants" has to wear shorts. Since they don't slide much, it shouldn't hurt them too much, and the breeze up their wazoos I'm sure will be quite comfortable.

Maybe we can embarass them to stellar performance.

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I support this measure

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jun 4, 2007 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

This is a great idea

if for no other reason than to have an excuse for referring to Dewon Day as Pants Day -- and really, shouldn't nearly every day be?

by The Actual El Guapo on Jun 4, 2007 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Good one!

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Look on the positive side,

at least they finally held a vet (MacDougal) accountable for his lack of performance instead of shuffling minor leaguers up and down.

Now they need to put the fear of God into the offense. Should they send down...Crede?!!? He's got a year left so they can make an example out of him, and they can bring up Fields to take his place.

It's been painfully obvious that the players have been awfully complacent through this mess, might as well shake it up in a big way. Makes no sense to trade anyone right now while they have no value.

by ChicagoPete on Jun 4, 2007 11:55 AM CDT reply actions

Not a bad idea.

by ballyb on Jun 4, 2007 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Poor ole Joe

I love the guy for what he's done in the past, but these numbers are unreal:

.221/.264/.325/.590

On a team with incredibly bad offensive numbers he's the worst of the worst. This makes a slumping Pods look like a HOF'er.

I suspect he's hurt more severely than he's admitting, either that or he's totally forgotten how to hit. In any case he's killing us offensively, and we've got a decent minor leaguer to replace him. They're pointing fingers at the bullpen, now it's time to fix the offense.

He refused surgery, and he's a Boras client. I say he's a perfect scapegoat. Put him on the DL at least.

by ChicagoPete on Jun 4, 2007 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Joe, Joe, still my he-ro

but those weak-ass pop-ups lead me to believe that your tender back is bothering you more than you let on.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Jun 4, 2007 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Can't be worse

than what we've been getting from the bullpen. Relievers are extremely volatile. I'm hopeful one of these guys can post a 4.00 ERA and the other a 5.00 ERA. That's a lot better than what we've been getting. Exchange Masset for Wasserman who could probably post a 4.5 ERA if used correctly (Roogy) and you change your chances of winning a 3-0 game in the 7th inning to 2 for 3 instead of our current 0 for 3. The bottom line: I'd be ecstatic with mediocrity from our middle relievers at this point.

by bhoov on Jun 4, 2007 12:11 PM CDT reply actions

it's sad

that we're praying for a mediocre 4.50 ERA from one of the bullpen guys

-Jeeves Life in the Cell, a Sweet Home Sports site

by jeeves on Jun 4, 2007 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

ugh

hard to get excited about either of those moves.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Jun 4, 2007 12:16 PM CDT reply actions

Cheat - MacD

My boy is in the Minors, short of an injury.

Isn't that what you said would not happen? The whole, being outta options thing? Told me to face the music, move on, he was here for good?

Well, as some of you may know, I never give up hope, and I will not until the day when we are faced with mathematically elimination. I never gave up hope that MacD would somehow be off our roster. I continued to put up his climbing ERA in hopes that maybe someone from the front office would take note. I tried to find the point of no return, where the club would no longer accept his suckiness. That moment eluded me for many a day, until today. Today, all my hopes and dreams came true! I don't look like a fool anymore... For the Mike MacDougal era is temporarily OVA! Thank goodness you were wrong, Cheat. For all you others out there that kept the hope alive, and believed like me, that MacD would find himself in a Knights uniform, today is our Independance Day!

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Jun 4, 2007 12:36 PM CDT reply actions

Beware the cure

isn't worse than the disease.

Though enjoy your moment!

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Jun 4, 2007 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Wait until they start hitting!

Fun with numbers (while I consume my lunch - grilled cheese, chips, diet Mountain Dew - mmm, good)...

PAULIE

Based on 570 total ABs must go 130 for 382 (.340 pace) to get to .300

Based on 530 total ABs must go 116 for 341 (.340 pace) to get to .300

CREDE

Based on 500 total ABs must go 104 for 337 (.309 pace) to get to .280

Based on 480 total ABs must go 92 for 316 (.291 pace) to get to .280

The rest of the guys are pretty much a crapshoot with minimal expectations at this point.

Good luck gentlemen! We're all counting on you!

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Jun 4, 2007 12:44 PM CDT reply actions

Geez when did I become such a pessimist?

I'd be more encouraged by that if you know, the Sox actually showed some improvement in the month of May.

Mar/Apr the Sox averaged 4.13 runs/game with a line of .225/.317/.379

In May they averaged 4.03 runs/game with a line of .243/.302/.365

Not to mention runs allowed per game jumped from 4.21 to 5.23

-Jeeves Life in the Cell, a Sweet Home Sports site

by jeeves on Jun 4, 2007 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Agustin Montero

I miss Montero. I love those Dos Equis radio ads he does where he punches magicians and orders his salad with the dressing on top.

Stretch!

by stevegoz on Jun 4, 2007 12:54 PM CDT reply actions

When I was in college

at Michigan State (not that you needed to know that, but whatever), there was a professional sudent/lo-rent politician named Mark Grebner who was a hero of the counter-culture there. His annual election slogan perfectly sums up the recent Sox callups.

His slogan?

"No worse than the rest".

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting your 2007 Chicago White Sox. No worse than the rest.

"Looks like the joke's on us, doesn't it?"

by Happy Felsch on Jun 4, 2007 1:04 PM CDT reply actions

Except...

most of the teams in their division, and quite a few others as well.

It takes two to lie; one to lie and one to listen.

by Toonderstrook on Jun 4, 2007 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions

If we contain the slogan

to Chicago-based teams, well, then, you're on to something.

Otherwise, it needs to be amended to "No worse than the 2004 Tigers!"

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

With the draft coming up on Thursday

Here's a good recap of the 2002 draft -- http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2007/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=2892330

The Sox have produced 6 major leaguers out of the draft, which I'm pretty sure is more than any other team, but only McCarthy has made significant impact.

4 of the top 5 picks have been traded (Ring, Reed, Rupe, LaMura)

And of the other interesting players (McCarthy, Tracey, Marshall, Haigwood) only Logan is still around.

49th rounder, Fernando Hernandez, still has a legit shot at making the bigs as a reliever.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 1:35 PM CDT reply actions

I just heard tonight's line-up on the radio...

Crede's batting ninth! Konerko has dropped down behind AJ! Tadahito is hitting second!

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Jun 4, 2007 2:43 PM CDT reply actions

I'll be pissed If AJ goes 0-for tonight

Igawa is exactly the kind of shitty lefty we've struggled against in recent years, and refusing to use Hall in a game like this is really negating the only value he has.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Ozzie's appeasing Pierzynski.

Even though Pierzynski would clearly benefit from a platoon situation, the mere idea of it seems to send AJ into a pouting fit for some reason. Guillen's trying to show that he's not platooning him.

Unfortunately, Pierzynski's got a couple of homers against lefties this season, lending him decent numbers in a small sample size that he can show people.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

yep

Ozzie's clearly being played by AJ here.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions

No.

It's DeSalvo tonight, not Igawa. Nevertheless, your above assertion has some merit up to this point....we'll see how things play out from here.

by dantesox on Jun 4, 2007 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Igawa's not starting

DeSalvo is. Igawa started yesterday's game in Scranton.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Jun 4, 2007 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions

i thought it was amusing last night

that the espn guys kept saying igawa was starting tonight. all the while igawa is pitching. way to fact check, espn.

Free Bobby Thigpen!

by larry on Jun 4, 2007 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I guess you can tell

How much I'm paying attention. I know the first name that I heard in place of Clemens was Igawa. I haven't even looked at the matchups for this series.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Blinded by the light

before it all goes dark. This is the least excited I've been about a Sox/Spanks series in years. 2 overpaid, aging clubs sttruggling to make .500.

I may watch women's softball tonight. At least they care.

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions

But...

...they all run like Yogi Bear.

Stretch!

by stevegoz on Jun 4, 2007 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Softball's too annoying

Move the circle (mound) back at least 5 feet, and the bases need an extra 10 feet between them. Move the fences back 20-40 feet too.

There's no open spaces. Too many low scoring games. Too much emphasis on one dominant pitcher (since they can throw forever, and even re-enter the game after being removed.)

I could go on. Women's college softball has potential, but I can't go an inning without getting completely annoyed by the rinky-dink dimensions, ridiculously large strike zones at short distances, and batters running to first before they even swing.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

batters running before they swing?

i guess you're opposed to signing ichiro, then.

Free Bobby Thigpen!

by larry on Jun 4, 2007 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I am for enforcing the rules

Ichiro is moving, but almost always remains in the box. These girls routinely have one foot well down the line when they're making contact. It's not like it's a far trip down to first. It seems like 12 feet. They don't need to be allowed to be out of the box like that.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Jesus H., Cheat,

I love baseball and all, but it's GIRLS in SHORTS, and they're (sometimes) IN SHAPE, and (sometimes) pretty. Would you rather see Jennie Finch or Sal Fasano?

Get out there and tap that keg, kid - you sound like you could use it. There are different "boxes" in a girl's game I'm more concerned about than the batter's box, bro.

;)

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Shuffling deck chairs

on the Titanic, it seems.

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 2:56 PM CDT reply actions

Wow

I can't believe I've never heard that phrase before. I think I need to use it at my business.

"Looks like the joke's on us, doesn't it?"

by Happy Felsch on Jun 4, 2007 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions

winning posts it at least twice a week

drink!

Free Bobby Thigpen!

by larry on Jun 4, 2007 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey, I'm going to start calling

YOU "Pants", larry.

Bet your Grandma remembers the Dead Ball era (the one that preceded this new one we are enjoying).

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

of course she does, she played in it

her skillset was perfect for that era.

Free Bobby Thigpen!

by larry on Jun 4, 2007 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Slap hitter, hands apart on the bat,

(for control) spikes sharpened, hook slides, etc.
Probably a nifty little 2B, turns the DP well.

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions

hmm

[ insert vulgar joke about larry's grandma and turning DP's here ]

yep, it's that kind of day.

by thatshortkid on Jun 4, 2007 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Or...

...for "Ozzie ball"

Stretch!

by stevegoz on Jun 4, 2007 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Do you work for Carnival Cruise lines?

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Mind fuck from another board

Overrated? Overrated? I'll tell you who's overrated: Jim Thome.

Coming off a WS championship season we got rid of a fan favorite, a clubhouse favorite, a textbook grinder and a guy who, to many, defined what the 2005 Sox attitude was all about. His hitting could be streaky, but I don't think anybody had problems with his outfield play and I specficially remember him putting on a goddamn outfield CLINIC in NY at Yankees stadium that year, where even A-Rod had to give him props.

So we got rid of him and got... Jim Thome. Nothing against Jim Thome as a person--he's a class act--but what has he delivered?

He was pounding them first half '06 and then faded away into non-factor.

He can't hit clutch.

He can't bunt or hit for percentage. Talk about the definition of feast or famine, HR or nothing. I can't count how many times he's been struck out pitching low & inside, and he's so predictable that the SS moves into RIGHT FIELD.

This year? Pretty much the same so far. Oh, and he can't play the field. He is a batter only who can kinda play 1B.

How this fell in with our smart/small/Ozzieball philosophy back then I never figured out, but if you asked me now, knowing now what we know, would I have made that trade? No way.

So I'm really not that receptive to hearing how overrated Rowand is. As it is, it looks like we have two choices: try and save the season, or white flag it and build for the future. Rowand is an inexpensive way to attempt to former. Why not? I can't believe it wouldn't electrify both the fans and the clubhouse. You think his 2005 mates won't be thrilled to see him?

Oh, and Thome will STILL BE HERE.

Win/win for me. Thanks. DO IT.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 4:01 PM CDT reply actions

I was against...

acquiring Thome, but I acknowledge his offensive contributions. I just think they're wasted on this team, and his salary makes him hard to justify.

This guy is just insane.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Thome salary

Isn't PHI picking up part of it? I think the Sox paid $9M for him last season, which is a bargain. In 2006 he had an OPS+ of 156 or something.

by hitlesswonder on Jun 4, 2007 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions

they're picking up almost half of it

he costs us $8 million, he costs the phillies $6 million.

Free Bobby Thigpen!

by larry on Jun 4, 2007 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions

I just...

didn't want the Sox to make a three-year commitment to him, because (a) I was concerned about his health going forward and (b) I wanted the Sox to have as much flexibility as possible when it came to rebuilding.

But he's far from the Sox' biggest problem right now.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I feel partly responsible

Some guy posted about Rowand's intangibles and how Thome wasn't as good as his numbers and I attempted a sarcastic post about Thome not being clutch like ARow. I realize now it was wrong to do that. I facilitated the intellectual degradation of the internets...

by hitlesswonder on Jun 4, 2007 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Count the rings!

Rowand - 1
Thome - 0

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I want Rowand back

just for laughs. This season is depressing and all the fanfare around the prodigal son's return would be pretty amusing.

Plus, if the one in a million possibility of the Sox turning it around and making the playoffs this season actually came to fruition soon after Rowand's triumphant return, he'd etch himself permanently into not just White Sox but Chicago sports legend. And the idea of a league average outfielder being among the most revered local sports heroes of my lifetime cracks me up to no end.

Also, my buddy who has a huge mancrush on Aaron could go back to calling his fantasy team "The Rowand Warriors."

by Ryno on Jun 4, 2007 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Row-stad

And the idea of a league average outfielder being among the most revered local sports heroes of my lifetime cracks me up to no end.

Whereas I've pretty much cracked up over the media's lionization of a below-average outfielder lo these past two months....

Stretch!

by stevegoz on Jun 4, 2007 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Drink, drank, drunk.

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't be surprised when he's back

"The organization" loves him and tickets aren't exactly going to be selling like hotcakes soon.

Rowand (drink!) will put a few more asses in the seats.

And, yes, I will chuckle too as he will do, well, about average I guess.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Jun 4, 2007 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

The baseball stupid

Are they really that large in number?

"Hey, let's go see if Rowand can hit a wall at full speed tonight!"

If only Geoff Blum had been here longer, imagine how wistful we could be about him. Though I do miss his Heat Miser 'do....

Stretch!

by stevegoz on Jun 4, 2007 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I guarantee you, the day he gets back

the place will be packed.

Stupid, maybe. But it's AARON ROWAND! (Drink!)

You know, like how Cub fans go to see "Big Z" pitch a masterpiece. Hahahahahahaha!

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Jun 4, 2007 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

There's another board?

Jim Thome is our problem? Way down on the list, I'd say.

Aaron Rowand? Drink!

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Jun 4, 2007 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions

i thought macdougal

had no more options...?

by Jbasic89 on Jun 4, 2007 4:03 PM CDT reply actions

I guess he did

I remember he filed a grievance for being sent to the minor leagues while hurt with the Royals, which I assumed was his last option. The guy has shuffled between the majors and minors like crazy for the last 5 years. You only get 3 options. It seemed like a safe bet that he didn't have any remaining. Obviously most of those minor league innings were rehab assigments, though I'm unsure how he accrued so little service time, which was the nature of his grievance.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 4, 2007 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Time to play

who are your opening day starters in 2008!

Oh, just for fun...

Owens (Ichiro - fantasy wish)
Gooch
Thome (A-Rod - fantasy wish)
Konerko
Sweeney
Fields
AJ
Anderson
Uribe (ugh)

Let the kids play!

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Jun 4, 2007 5:01 PM CDT reply actions

If we pick up Uribe's $5mm option for 2008

Just shoot me in the face.

by Winning is Fung on Jun 4, 2007 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Well...

what other options do the Sox have? And don't say "sign Alex Rodriguez".

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

It shouldn't be hard to improve on these numbers:

2004 .283/.327/.506
2005 .252/.301/.412
2006 .235/.257/.441
2007 .212/.276/.342

We'll have to improve through a trade, I guess, as the list of SS free agents makes me gag. Eckstein and Vizquel are the "cream of the crop."

Too bad KW and Ozzie would both splooge their pants to land either one of those two stiffs.

by Winning is Fung on Jun 4, 2007 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions

It's not like...

the Sox have a ton of tradeable talent. I think we're going to have to accept piss-poor production from shortstop. Uribe isn't good, but the Sox can live with him.

That doesn't bother me. What bothers me is that we're getting piss-poor production from left field and the corner infield spots. That needs to be fixed first.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions

So are we actually trading Dye for Abreu?

"White Sox still looking for some relief"

by SSH2005 on Jun 4, 2007 5:18 PM CDT reply actions

Maybe they'll just do it tomorrow...

...so the guys can switch teams during the series. That's the kind of thing the Sox need to do these days to entertain.

It takes two to lie; one to lie and one to listen.

by Toonderstrook on Jun 4, 2007 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, let's REALLY trade!

Posada for AJ

A-Rod for Crede

Jeter for Uribe

Cabrera for ?

Hughes for Count

I'll take it!

by winningugly on Jun 4, 2007 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope not.

Rosenthal (who I trust more than any of the Chicago beat guys) seems to think it's a dead rumor, which is good.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 4, 2007 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

mlbtraderumors on the dye-abreu swap

[mlbtraderumors.com]

I don't like this trade for Chicago though. Despite his struggles, Dye is on a 30 homer pace. And the $16MM option on Abreu next year - that's only appealing if he's an All-Star for the White Sox. That's hard to picture given what we've seen, but maybe Greg Walker has ideas on how to fix him.

has greg walker ever fixed anything?

by The Wizard on Jun 4, 2007 6:07 PM CDT reply actions